Rough legged hawk - a single bird was seen hunting fields W of Schmuck road at dusk [~5:30]. The hawk worked the heavy orchard grass fields, then hunted the brambles running W to E on Dairy View lane [a dirt track]. It passed over the road and continued on E where it encountered a female Harrier; they did an aerial dance for a few seconds before separating - each continuing to hunt in opposite directions. This is the 3ed reported sighting of RLH in the county this winter.
Snowy owl - at the intersection of Schmuck and Port Williams an owl flew from the N over the the house on the corner and continued S down Schmuck road where it took perch on top of telephone pole. The bird was a heavily barred individual.
Snowy owl - on 3 Crabs at the Pumphouse an owl flew up from the ground, circled out over cattails and then landed on the S corner of the Pumphouse. This is probably the same owl that's been in this area all winter.
Guinea fowl - a full plummed Guinea fowl was found standing along the edge of Coulter road off Schmuck road at the turn-around to Sequim Valley Ranch. The bird eventually took off running, gaining air in a massive short-winged flapping venture flying 20m before lighting and running further E where Coulter turns to dirt. This was just odd! I've not seen a Guinea fowl loose in the county. Maybe we should add it to the checklist? Code 5+?
Kestrel - two of these falcons were seen today: the Hogback road male, back for it's 3rd winter, was on wire above dry lake bed; this is a banded bird. The second was seen on wire along Old Olympic hiway where McDonald creek passes under.
Bullock's oriole - continues: Day 12
Western meadowlark - a small flock of meadowlarks works the fields E and W of Schmuck road near the hay barn in winter. On the 17th there were 19 seen in the area with two singing their songs and several others trying out parts of meadowlark talk.
